Thomaston Library News

 

40 Days of Summer Children's Program

Each week's events will take place from 11 AM to 1 PM, Monday through Friday (with one exception in August, when fabulous kids' musician Rob Duquette will perform at 2 PM). A picnic-style lunch will be available each day, along with crafts, games, great books, stargazing, music, and much, much more.

Week Five of "40 Days of Summer" is Craft Week!

Crafts are the theme for Week Five of Thomaston Public Library's 40 Days of Summer kids' program. The program, organized around weekly themes, features daily activities and events, a story or two, and some fun in the sun, including a picnic lunch outside, weather permitting. Each day's fun happens between 11 AM and 1 PM, Monday through Friday. 

Here's what's happening during Crafts week:

Monday, July 21st: Play-Doh Crafts -- Get creative with Play-Doh. We'll supply fresh homemade Play-Doh in a variety of colors along with little rolling pins and cookie cutters. Kids bring only their imaginations.

Tuesday, July 22nd: Magic Stones -- Paint magic stones and hand-stamp your own little bag to carry your special stone in. Read Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.

Wednesday, July 23rd: Ocean Murals -- Create beautiful ocean murals that will hang in the library's Children's Room. Read the book Commotion on the Ocean.

Thursday, July 24th: Frog Paper Cup Craft -- Join in a fun, froggy craft, read Froggy Bakes a Cake, and eat frog cupcakes.

Friday, July 25th: Face Painting and Manicures -- Get your face painted, indulge in a fun manicure, and read Mustache. Then sing Camp Granada and other camp songs.

Week Six--Art

The Library's 40 Days of Summer kids' program enters Week Six, which celebrates Art.

The program, organized around weekly themes, features daily activities and events, a story or two, and some fun in the sun, including a picnic lunch outside, weather permitting. Each day's fun happens between 11 AM and 1 PM, Monday through Friday.

Art Week's activities include finger-painting, watercolor painting, fun with acrylics, tie-dying, and creating giant, colorful murals. There will be plenty of outdoor exercise time too. Come run through the sprinkler (kids can bring a dry change of clothes if they like), twirl the hula-hoops, and load up the squirt guns.

TPL's 40 Days of Summer: Week Seven

Thomaston Public Library's 40 Days of Summer kids' program enters Week Seven, which celebrates Music. The program, organized around weekly themes, features daily activities and events, a story or two, and some fun in the sun, including a picnic lunch outside, weather permitting. Each day's fun happens between 11 AM and 1 PM, with the exception of Thursday, Auugust 7th, when the kids' program with musician Rob Duquette happens at 2 PM.

Music Week includes the following line-up:

Monday, August 4, 11 AM: Special musical event with Jess Day and Midcoast Music Together.

Tuesday, August 5, 11 AM: Make your own musical instrument.

Wednesday, August 6, 11 AM: Join in a sign-along and play musical chairs.

Thursday, August 7, 2 PM Musical Extravaganza with Musician Rob Duquette (children's lunch will be served at 1 PM on Thursday, before the event).

Friday, August 8, 11 AM: Join the Thomaston Public Library All-Star Kids' Band

The Thomaston Public Library is housed in the Thomaston Academy building at 60 Main Street. Parking and the library entrance are at the rear of the building. For more information about the 40 Days of Summer program, please call the library at 354-2453.

 

Maine Children's Musician Rob Duquette Appearing on August 7

Thomaston Public Library is hosting a musical event for children with Maine musician and educator Rob Duquette, on Thursday, August 7th, at 2 PM. Duquette, from Saco, is a composer who plays multiple instruments. His children's programs keep kids enthralled and tapping their toes start to finish. He combines many years of composing and song writing with his interest in world cultures and world music to create an exciting and unique genre of children’s entertainment. His positive song messages educate listeners on topics ranging from healthy living to being kind.

Duquette performs on ukelele, guitar, xylophone, and an assortment of percussion instruments from around the globe. He is also renowned for his innovative use of “toe percussion” techniques.

A professor of World Music, American Music, and African Drumming at the University of New England, Duquette has followed the local, national, and international music scene for the past 20 years. He has a huge heart and is a true entertainer. His kids' show at the library last year packed the house so the library is thrilled to have him back.

Rob Duquette will perform in Room 200 of the Thomaston Academy building at 60 Main Street. Parking and the entrance are at the rear of the building.

Movies on the Green Features the Film Stardust, Saturday, August 2

On August 2nd, The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library will sponsor a special Movie on the Green, the 2007 British-American romantic fantasy Stardust, which features an all-star cast that includes Claire Danes, Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ian McKellan, Peter O'Toole, Ricky Gervais, and many, many others.

In a nutshell, the movie's about a young man living in a countryside town bordering on a magical land who makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the enchanted realm.

Movies on the Green are shown on the wall of the old Maine State Prison in Thomaston. The film starts at sundown. Bring your own seat, blanket, and bug spray. Popcorn and bottled water will be available for purchase for $1.00. In case of rain, the film will be shown the following Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Library the Site for Thomaston Farmers' Market

Every Saturday 9 to 1

The Library is open on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, which is exactly when the Thomaston Farmers' Market happens -- right outside the library's back door. Visitors can browse the library's books and movies and also load up on the market's wonderful produce; fine, organic meats; deliciously-fresh desserts and baked goods; seedlings; herbs; candles and scents; coffee and kombucha (stop by to find out what kombucha is!); and a host of other great fare.

Fresh early greens and lettuces are a particular attraction just now, along with many other early-summer vegetables. Among the meats for sale are steaks, a variety of sausage flavors, lamb, chicken, and pork chops, all of the finest quality. The baked goods range from candy, muffins, and cookies to pies, whoopie pies, bars, and sweet quick breads. There's something for everyone.

The market's vendors are set up in the parking lot behind the Academy building. The library sets up a booth among them, so market shoppers can stop by for information on the library's upcoming events and choose among some of the Hallway Bookshop's sale books.

Don't miss the this one-stop, book-and-food shopping opportunity every Saturday morning at the library.

 

Taijiquan (Tai Chi) Sessions Every Wednesday 

Sessions of the Kennebec Taijiquan Association will be held at the Thomaston Public Library on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM.

These sessions provide participants the opportunity to learn a "T'ai C'hi" long form and to
practice it with others who enjoy taijiquan. Life can be a challenge and the long, slow practice of taijiquan, which deepens across the years, brings profound satisfaction and surprising benefits.

One begins by learning the form and then slowly adds the principles of practice to a daily effort of two long forms. For those who are social, these sessions provide the opportunity to meet others to practice with. For those who are dedicated, they provide the opportunity to learn how to deepen your practice.
 
Whether you are completely new to taijiquan or would like to share your practice with others, the Kennebec Taijiquan Association welcomes you.

Coming in August!

Intergenerational Book Club to Discuss

Townie by Andre Dubus III

On Tuesday, August 19th, at 2:30 PM, the Thomaston Public Library's Intergenerational Book Club will discuss the memoir Townie by Andre Dubus III.

After their parents divorced in the 1970s, Andre Dubus III and his three siblings grew up with their exhausted working mother in a depressed Massachusetts mill town saturated with drugs and crime. To protect himself and those he loved from street violence, Andre learned to use his fists so well that he was even scared of himself. He was on a fast track to getting killed--or killing someone else. He signed on as a boxer.

Nearby, his father, an eminent author, taught on a college campus and took the kids out on Sundays. The clash of worlds couldn't have been more stark--or more difficult for a son to communicate to a father. Only by becoming a writer himself could Andre begin to bridge the abyss and save himself. His memoir is a riveting, visceral, profound meditation on physical violence and the failures and triumphs of love.

On the third Tuesday of every month, the Intergenerational Book Club, a group of men and women of all ages, comes together to share their opinions and ideas about the book selection. Extra copies of the books are purchased by the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library from the Annual Appeal funds. We thank you for your donations. All are welcome at the Thomaston Library on August 19th at 2:30  p.m.

If you live in Thomaston and would like to attend but need a ride, please call the library at 354-2453 a week before the discussion date.